VHA Inc., a national healthcare alliance, has presented Memorial Hermann Healthcare System 10 2007 VHA Leadership Awards for Clinical Excellence, honoring the hospital for meeting or exceeding national performance standards for clinical care in specific areas. Memorial Hermann was also one of five hospitals nationwide to be recognized with a 2007 VHA Leadership Award for Community Benefit for its efforts to provide healthcare that matches the needs of its community.

For clinical excellence, Memorial Hermann was recognized for their performance at the 90 percent or above level on clinical core measures for the disease following their name:

Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital is also being recognized for the successful implementation and results of a rapid response team.

All hospitals were honored at VHA’s Leadership Conference in Denver on May 20.“We are honored to be recognized for our commitment to clinical excellence,” said Dan Wolterman, president and chief executive officer Memorial Hermann. “While public reporting has become a requirement in today’s healthcare environment, it also plays a critical role in helping to standardize care. By consistently meeting or exceeding clinical core measures, we improve the quality of care and outcomes for our patients.”

"At the heart of the covenant between patients and hospitals lies the belief that clinical excellence is paramount," said Trent Haywood, M.D., J.D., chief medical officer at VHA. "Memorial Hermann is a shining example of what can be achieved when a hospital's actions are guided by the pursuit of clinical excellence."

The 2007 VHA Leadership Award for Community Benefit recognized Memorial Hermann for its efforts to provide healthcare that matches the needs of its community. Core initiatives and successes include:

“Hospitals across the nation do an excellent job of providing high-quality care for their patients, but there are still community needs that often go unmet through the regular course of care,” said Wolterman. “This is where community-owned, not-for-profit hospitals like ours can make a difference, and we have.”Memorial Hermann was also presented with the President's Award of Honor for recognition in two award categories, Clinical Excellence and Community Benefit.VHA serves more than 2,400 healthcare organizations nationwide, including 1,400 hospitals. VHA reviewed the performance of its members in 2006 and 277 member hospitals won Clinical Excellence awards for achievements in at least one of seven clinical categories:

Treatment for heart attack patients

Prevention of surgical infections

Treatment for congestive heart failure

Implementation of rapid response teams

Prevention of blood stream infections

Treatment for pneumonia patients

Prevention of ventilator association pneumonia

About the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System

An integrated health system, Memorial Hermann is known for world-class clinical expertise, patient-centered care, leading edge technology, and innovation. The System, with its exceptional medical staff and 19,000 employees, serves southeast Texas and the greater Houston community. Memorial Hermann’s 16 hospitals include three hospitals in the Texas Medical Center, two long-term care facilities, three heart institute locations and eight suburban hospitals. The System also operates numerous imaging, sports medicine and rehabilitation, and surgery centers, a Wellness Center, a chemical dependency treatment center, a home health agency, a retirement community and a nursing home. To learn more, visit www.memorialhermann.org or call 713-222-CARE.

About VHA

VHA Inc., based in Irving, Texas, is a national alliance that provides industry-leading supply chain management services and supports the formation of regional and national networks to help members improve their clinical and economic performance. With 17 offices across the U.S., VHA has a track record of proven results in serving more than 2,400 healthcare organizations nationwide.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CLINICAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS:

65 VHA member hospitals won Clinical Excellence awards for efforts in two or more of the clinical categories.